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Superior Hiking Trail | Guide to Backpacking Campsites
Way to Camp # 10 | Backpack Camping on a National Scenic Trail
The Public Land:
The Superior Hiking Trail.
This 310 mile, wilderness character hiking path traverses the highlands of Minnesota's north shore of Lake Superior. From a northern terminus on the Canadian border, to a southern terminus below the city of Duluth this continuous footpath creates access to
Is it fair to label the Superior Hiking Trail a public land?
The trail deservedly occupies the mind as a singular outdoor recreation destination, owing to the successful branding and communications efforts of the Superior Hiking Trail Association, the non-profit who manages it. While it traverses many different lands belonging to local, state, federal and private owners, it is formally an included segment of the much longer North Country National Scenic Trail. As a section of a federally designated national scenic trail, its complicated but fair enough to consider it, at least, a specific amenity of our public lands system.
Approach :
The Draw: The best backpacking experience Minnesota can offer.
Framed by the cultural institution that is American backpacking, long distance multi day National Scenic Trails (social,
the Superior Hiking Trail is Minnesota's response - on its own a highly renowned backpacking destination,
contextually, A great entry level backpacking experience to prepare for anywhere else in the world.
"Wilderness Character": Remoteness without high risk.
Nearly always surrounded by protected natural areas, and almost always feeling remote, in truth the hiker is never very far away from a trailhead.
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Camping so close to scenic, high volume rivers and cascades really only happens at the campsites on this trail.
Of Minnesota Camp Guide's 23 Ways to Camp on Minnesota Public Lands, the Superior Hiking Trail includes the following:
#10. Backpack Camping on a National Scenic Trail
Expected Use:
To serve as single overnight stays while multi-day hiking on this long distance trail.
Not destinations for weekend or longer stays.
Administrative :
1 Trail (or 2) 94 campsites $Free 0% reservable
The trail, including its bridges and campsites are built and maintained by the non-profit Superior Hiking Trail Association.
While the ground it crosses are owned by government agencies and private landowners the point of contact and the organization of staff and volunteers who are to thank most for this amazing piece of recreation infrastructure are the SHTA.
The ~310 mile Superior Hiking Trail existed before the Congressional designation of the North Country National Scenic Trail. The NCT corridor routes over and along many other existing trails including the SHT. While this website categorizes the SHT under the banner of a national scenic trail designation (because it is) the de facto administration of life on this trail is very much lead by the Superior Hiking Trail Association.
Backpack camping is only allowed at the designated campsites.
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No camping is allowed at parking lots or at any undesignated sites.
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No dispersed camping is allowed anywhere along the trail, despite traveling through state and national forests at times.
These campsites are free. No permits are required.
No reservations. Not even first come, first served!
Campsites must be shared. There is an expectation that any arriving hiker is absolutely allowed to amble on in and pitch their tent.
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'Early birds' definitely get worms = the best pick of quality tent pads (flat, private, better views).
Etiquette:
Some notes; make your best attempt to respect the following:
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Avoid setting your shelter directly adjacent to the fire ring and commons area.
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First conflict is between others having a campfire and the safety of your tent from sparks/embers.
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Second conflict is that best practice is to prep and eat food at commons areas and away from tents.
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Respect the cleanliness of the drinking water source.
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Rinse or wash upstream from where people gather and filter water.
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Some water sources are not high volume or moving. Maybe don't rinse and wash things in these.
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It's unavoidable that dirty feet have been rinsed in the same spot someone drinks from, maybe just try to keep it a secret.
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Amenities & Skills :
Primitive , but popularly used backcountry campsite accommodations.
These campsites are primitive, backcountry accommodations meant to serve the business of completing a long hike on the trail.
These campsites are considered remote. Most do not have cell phone service. Having comfort and confidence in backcountry settings is necessary. That said, these are great for first experiences of remote backpacking. The front country roads and trailheads (especially in the central and southern portions) are within a mile or three at nearly all times.
☑ Cleared and level tent pad sites on natural substrate.
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Anywhere from 2 - 8 depending on campsite size.
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The first hikers to arrive get higher quality pads, and the quality descends to rootier, more rugged and less level options.
☑ A "commons area", surrounding:
☑ Rock fire rings.
☑ Wooden benches, or natural log seating.
☑ Backcountry pit latrines. Not enclosed and open to the elements, but located somewhere mostly private.
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Do not throw anything except toilet paper into the latrines.
☐ Gather , filter and treat drinking water from a wild source. There is no potable water provided.
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Most campsites are located on a dependable source of wild water. Some have sources that dry up in midsummer. Some have no source at all.
☐ Practice backcountry food and trash storage.
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☐ No permanent bear boxes are installed.
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Avoid all woodland critters, the local black bears included - by keeping all trash, food and scented hygiene products secure;
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Correctly use bear hangs, bear barrels or bear bags.
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Do not leave trash, food or cookware unattended.
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Have trash bags and receptacles ready to pack out all of your garbage. Pack out what you pack in.
☐ Firewood is not provided. Gather sustainably. Collect only already dead and downed wood.
☐ Practice 'leave no trace' hygiene.
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When rinsing off in water bodies do not use soap products directly in the water.
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Biodegradeable soaps must be used in collected water away from the source, then dumped onto soil.
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When disposing of gray/brown water - disperse in a wide cast that doesn't leave a concentrated residue.
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Includes water if having washed dishes.
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Particularly includes toothpaste spitting!
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Why This Guide? And Other Resources.
When you're on thru-hike mode turned up to eleven, campsite selection is determined simply by which is nearest at the sun begins to set. The only variable that would move you forward or have kept you short is whether a site was completely dry of drinking water. This guide is no matter there.
When you are working the dials, even a little bit, towards comfort, enjoyment and 'optimizing' your trail experience you'll find yourself wishing and wondering you knew how this campsite you're at compares to the one up ahead? This guide is for those hikes.
Every awesome day on the hiking trail isn't always, but can be compounded by an evening and overnight in the backpacking campsites that are admittedly higher quality than others. [Every single campsite is an achievement of the Superior Hiking Trail Association volunteers, members and staff that I am beyond grateful to have. :)]
The purpose of this guide, in providing descriptions and a respectful comparative ranking (any night spent on the trail is 5 star!) is to identify and celebrate the best of the Superior Hiking Trail backpack camping experience. To that end, this resource supports the following trip goals:
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Making the most out a section or thru-hike; where adjusting mileage is worth it for the more scenic or interesting campsite to end the day, having a long lunch break or taking a zero day.
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Sampling the 'cream of the crop' for the ultimate hit-and-run experience of the best of what SHT backpack camping can offer on a single overnight or weekend outing. Time can be a limited resource. Or you've got new initiates to convince that more days on trail are well worthwhile.
★ 1 - 5 What are the criteria that impacts these rankings?
Most Impactful
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Water. Always looking forward to water.
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Moving water is better than still. Larger volume is better than smaller.
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Large volumes of moving water allow rinsing, wading and swimming - high score. Small, still pools are for drinking water only.
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Closer to the tent pads is much better. If I can hear it from tent, great. If I can see it from tent, the best.
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Topography. Excellence is surrounding ground that is interesting (heights, slopes, hills, banks) but keeps the common areas and tent pads flat and level.
More Impactful
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Quality of Tent Pads. I don't care about the substrate - until it rains. Then I wish for a grassy or otherwise organic bed to keep my tent from caking in what is now mud.
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Trees. Mostly for aesthetics. The trail grants a variety of hardwoods and conifer mixes throughout, but I'm happier with open, airy and mature groves than the thick, claustrophobic stands of young aspen, spruce and alder. Sun and shade can be had at any site, and preferences completely depend on weather and season.
Less Impactful
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Distance from main trail.
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The view from the latrines.
Other Resources.
These are the official resources produced by the Superior Hiking Trail Association.
Minnesota Camp Guide presents the campsites on NPS river maps in the following format,
adding images, descriptions, hike-in/drive-in designations and a rating.
☑ The official trail Map Series from Superior Hiking Trail Association
☑ Superior Hiking Trail Databook from Superior Hiking Trail Association
☑ Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail from Superior Hiking Trail Association
The Campsites Catalog
The Superior Hiking Trail | Designated Campsites
F 294.9 Campsite Legend ★ 1
F (Map Series) 294.9 (Mile Marker Northbound) Campsite Name ★ 1 (Guidemaker's Rating)
A general description of the campsite. An impression of the place written by the guidemaker while seated there.
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Water: ☑ Present. ☐ Not present.
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⦿ Reliable throughout season, good flow. ⦿ Seasonally unreliable, low flow or low quality. ⦿ No water.
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Size: As determined by SHTA. (S) Small: (M) Medium: (L) Large:
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Tent Pads: Counted by guidemaker. A conservative count, not including the spots which are used as last resort.
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Amenities: ☑ Pit latrine toilets and rock fire rings always present. ☐ Various arrangements of log/lumber benches surround common areas around fire ring.
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Coordinates location of the campsite.
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★ Less Remote: Campsites that are less than one mile from a trailhead receive a mention. This is to identify the most accessible or lower stakes out and back hike-in camping opportunities for first time outings or simple trips for testing gear shakedowns.
Map Series F: Northern Terminus to Pincushion Mountain Trailhead
F 294.9 Andy Creek ★ 1
A shallow rise in swampy alder-ground. Patchy balsam fir surrounds the commons area. A wide vista of campsite from the latrine.
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☑⦿ Water: A small, alder choked creek. A little walk from campsite.
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Size (S). Tent Pads: 3-4 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
F 289.8 Jackson Creek ★ 3
Past a gate of glacial erratics, into a dense forested height of land, thick with spruce and balsam. Rests just above a charming creek that enters a wetland, offering friendly access to light water.
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☑ ⦿Water: A small creek.
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Size (S). Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
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★ Less Remote: A little over one mile.
F 286.5 Caribou Pond ★ 2
On a rugged slope and in close quarters of thick balsam & spruce. An impressive beaver dam spills moving water, providing ambience. A 'semi-vista' when looking towards the pond.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Most immediate access is the beaver pond. Moving water outflow is an option a little hike north, with some bush tramping.
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Size (S). Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
F 282.8 North Carlson Pond ★ 2
Thick young forest with lots of balsam, spruce and shrubs. Mostly flat ground. Very nearby, a lovely little creek enters a wetland.
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☑ ⦿ Water: The creek, with enough volume to offer an enticing soaking pool, like a grass banked jacuzzi.
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Size (M). Tent Pads: Flat ground with several great tent pads.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ One bench commons.
F 280.7 South Carlson Pond ★ 3
On a peninsular ridge, hosting a fairly open forest of great species diversity; spruce, balsam, cedar, birch and aspen with much of the ground carpeted in club mosses. On one aspect is a wide, grassy wetland viewshed.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Carlson Creek runs alongside with pools for wading or soaking feet.
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Size (M). Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet, with nice view. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
F 277.9 Hazel ★ 1
An alder choked approach to an unattractive and claustrophobic thicket of dogwood and hazel with some scattered aspen, balsam and spruce.
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☐ ⦿ Water: Strong rivulets of water run the spongy ground in spring and into the season probably serve mosquito breeding better than they'll serve you.
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Size (S). Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
F 266.2 Northwest Little Brule ★ 3.5
On risen ground above a spacious lower floodplain bench on a creek sized section ot the Little Brule River. Not too dense of spruce, birch and balsam to interrupt the limited viewshed. An airier option occurs in the adjacent stand of aspen.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Adjacent to a flowing, bouldery creek with gravel bars and feet soaking spots.
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Size (S). Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
F 266.2 North Little Brule ★ 3.5
Next door to NW Little Brule, and a better pick. Much the same but offers a wider view of the river bend, through thin, airy spruce and birch stands.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Especially on the southern approach via trail, the river offers plunge pools, mossy outcrops and cobble beaches before transforming into an inaccessible slot canyon.
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Size (M). Tent Pads: 6-7 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
F 265.8 South Little Brule ★ 3
Most interesing topography of the the three Brule sites, this campsite feels "layered". Humps and mounds of ground between a wooded draw and a cliff dropping to an acoustic creek canyon. A sense of the great, wide open in the lakebound direction. Uncrowded by birch, spruce and the occassional cedar or the huge greeting aspen.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Narrow, flowing creek that is a bit of a walk to access comfortably, considering this campsite is on steep ground above it.
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Size (S.) Tent Pads: 3-4 reasonably flat, this site is very sloped.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ four bench commons area.
F 260.6 Kadunce River ★ 3.5
Flat ground on a high bank above creek. Surrounded by airy spruce, birch, balsam and patches of bright, red osier dogwood.
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☑ ⦿ Water: A bit of walk to access, but earns a full extra point for the stretch of rapids with natural whirlpool jacuzzis.
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Size (S.) Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality, some are grassy.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
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Nearest trailhead: Under one mile.
F 260.1 West Fork Kadunce River ★ 2.5
A flat, wide and open clearing well above a deep and steep-sided slot canyon. Spruce-balsam-birch surround. If you prefer, a more grotto like option is pitching on the conifer shrouded, moss covered bench tucked precipitously above the canyon drop. Edgy.
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☐ ⦿ Water: Since the adjacent creek is in a canyon, you'll need to lace up your hiking boots and walk 0.3 miles to access comfortably.
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Size (M.) Tent Pads: Many flat tent pads.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
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Nearest Trailhead: One mile.
F 259.8 Crow Creek ★ 2
On a terrace between higher ground and the lower bench of the creek, amidst spruce, balsam and birch. Either Kadunce site is a better pick than this one, except that access to water is much more immediate here.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Directly adjacent to tents, a splashy creek with shallow foot soaking pools.
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Size (M.) Tent Pads: 6-7 flat tent pads.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
F 258.6 Kimball Creek ★ 4
An absolutely charming, 'secret garden' feeling to this valley on a flat promontory between the confluence of two creeks. Access to native brook trout fishing, if you come back with a rod.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Excellent sound of wide, splashy riffles and shallow with places to wade and soak feet, but not swim.
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Size (S.) 4-5 quality tent pads.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
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★ Less Remote: Very close to trailhead parking.
F 256.1 Cliff Creek ★ 3
Very spacious, flat and wide on a rise above the creek. Sun and shade amidst fairly mature birch, aspen, balsam and spruce. An old sentinel aspen tree stands at the entrance.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Easy enough access to a slow but moving creek. Shallow and cobbly.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 6 + quality tent pads.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
F 255.0 Durfee Creek ★ 2
A small, and close quarters alcove in thick trees. Atop a steep climb from the attractive creek.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Quick flowing riffles across gravel beach and rock bars, with ample space to wade in shallows.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 2-4 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
F 252.6 Wood's Creek ★ 4
The topography and vegetation create several private feeling 'compartments' to choose from. Some are directly on the banks of the creek and others on the main rise above, so you can select the volume setting of the running water.
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☑ ⦿ Water: A straight, narrow course through boulders. Places to soak feet.
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Size (M.) Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ 3 bench commons area, sloped.
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★ Less Remote: Under one mile.
F 250.1 East Devil Track ★ 4
Super neat. A flat shelf between steep upland and the large, lower course of the Devil Track River. Sun and shade from the birch, balsam, spruce and cedar. An easy gradient access to water with impressive cliff banks.
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☑ ⦿Water: A high volume, boulder strewn riverrun for deep wading or a decent bathe, if not a shallow swim.
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Size (S.) Tent Pads: 2-3 comfortably.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
F 250.0 West Devil Track ★ 4.5
The nearby section of Devil Track River is packed with features - eroding cliff banks, sculpted red rhyolite edifices, big cobble beaches, small rapids whirlpools and a few foot cascade.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Fast flowing course over hard rock and cobble beaches, great wading and washing.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 5-6 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
Map Series E: Pincushion Mountain Trailhead to Temperance Wayside Trailhead
E 239.4 North Bally Creek Pond ★ 2
A soggy, vegetated shoreline access to the pond without direct view from the campsite. Feels open/airy despite brushy surroundings. Unexciting, but takes care of business.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Look for a tiny brook inlet besides the pond direct.
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Size (S.) Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
E 239.2 South Bally Creek Pond ★ 2.5
Would choose over North, for the limited view and more comfortable and immediate access to the pond. Enclosed in brushy woods.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Another running water outlet besides pond edge in early season.
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Size (M.) Tent Pads: Around 4 flat, quality tent pads. Others rugged.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
E 238.0 Sundling Creek ★ 2.5
A small, balsam studded ridge partitions the campsite from the creek. Open to sun, sky and stars with a charming edging of carpet moss on approach. Prefer to the Bally Creek sites, but not by much. Not really worth the long spur off the main trail.
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☑ ⦿ Water: A small, but flowing stream overgrown with alder.
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Size (M.) Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
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★ Less Remote: Very close to trailhead parking.
E 234.5 North Cascade River ★ 3.5
Doubled amenities. Quite large, and has the feeling of two campsites. Hedges of hazel embedded with thick spruce and cedars surround and separate the two.
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☑ ⦿ Water: Disappointingly distant from river water access. Very wide and shallow.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 4-5 of good quality.
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☑ 2 pit latrine toilets. ☑ Rock fire ring, metal fire grate. ☑ Two commons areas.
E 232.1 Cut Log ★ 3
An attractive and airy, balsam & birch woods on the edge of mature maple hardood forest. Perched on a rise between an eroded ditch from seasonal runoff into the deep tributary creek valley. The namesake giant, mossy log has a cool chair carved into it.
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☑ ⦿ Water: The water source is a tall and steep staircase away from tents, and not enough for quality rinsing or recreation.
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Size (S.) Tent Pads: 5-6 of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
E 231.7 Boreal ★ 3.5
Upon higher terrain, above a steep tributary valley away from the main river. While young conifers swathe one side, much of the site has an open canopy inside very old birch and maple. Sightlines are broken by fairly heavy shrubs.
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☑ ⦿ Water: A bit of a chore up and downhill to access this narrow stream.
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Tent Pads: 2 of good quality with limited privacy screen, several others are directly adjacent the fire ring and commons area.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Two bench commons area.
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47.72868, -90.54032
E 231.0 Trout Creek ★ 5
Stunning! Lightly perched above the confluence of Trout Creek and dramatic Cascade River, a very large flat under a grand hall of mature cedars and shaggy young spruce. Sounds, views and water access abound. On a Spur, opposite bank of river from the Main Trail, I would take the spur just to stay here.
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☑ ⦿Water: Fast and wide stretch of Cascade for heavy rinsing, not exactly a swimming hole.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 6+ of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Rock fire ring. ☑ Three bench commons area.
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★ Less Remote: About a half mile.
E 228.6 Camp Creek ★ 3.5
Verdant, shaggy vegetation and woods enclose a selection of fairly partitioned tent pads all within earshot of moving water.
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☑ ⦿ Water: A low volume stream across slab bedrock. Not much for rinsing or recreation.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 6+ of good quality.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Two rock fire rings. ☑ Five bench commons area.
E 225.4 Spruce Creek ★ 4
A damp and dank bowl of bare soil amongst the ankles of a large cedar grove - in a good way. This cool refuge also offers immediate access to creek. Awesome moss strewn wall of boulders.
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☑ ⦿ Water: A cobble and boulder strewn creek with a small wading hole.
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Size (L.) Tent Pads: 2 of good quality, others reasonable.
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☑ Pit latrine toilet. ☑ Two rock fire rings. ☑ Three bench commons area.
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★ Less Remote: A little over one mile.